WE are enjoying a lovely time in Futuna . buss ride around the island, dinner with friends, were the only two boats here, S/V Hotspur.

WE had a blast going for the day sail West, then returning as the weather went bonkers to Alofi for shelter. Which is fantastic.

Savusavu Fiji, nice to make it:Red Witch is enjoying her self, liking adventure again...upon arrival Cape Taveuni gave us a kick, 40.6 kts and current to pin us into the headland, of course middle 3-4AM....Squally Thunderpants strikes a match.

wow what fun doing 360's out there trying to guess at the next step, after all navigation aids went bonkers, compass sprung a leak & lept off our cosmic radar, In the Dark...yes such a big tube ride for Red Witch, yea we made it! Who says Teahupoo surfing spot in Tahiti is the toughest and biggest wave in the world.... Cape Taveuni is underrated! ! !🏁 Oh never mind the flying tigers. in Africa..in Taveuni flying fish are the baddest anywhere. Have red flashing lights, new computerized version. Met up with Bruce on S/V Skabenga, super nice guy.

Alofi is a world class destination for snorkeling, we are happy we stopped to see what it is like with a beautiful rainbow across a deserted beach and coral gardens below while in bliss. I loved Alofi. the 2 locals were very real and super nice.

loved exiting the pass at low tide Class III rapids, had a blast.

Enjoying a very remote area of our world, the locals whom are preparing for a wonderful visit from their Kingdom of Tonga, King. The three villages here are being carefully groomed, decorated natively for the trade show. Much like the early traders this area focuses on fair trade and sustainable crops, fishing and extended family. We have been fortunate to be included in the village affairs culturally and with our presence finding things to help with. Volunteering helps greatly, as does generosity. Marathon swimming is gentle and easy here. Actually we are the only boat here, for a week. nice. Great water activities like snorkeling have been fun.

Patricia thinks position is 15 56s and 173 46e

We have arrived to Tonga and enjoying every minute, S/V Atmos teamed up to tow us off of the customs dock due to the rough current and wind shoving us into it, our little 25 HP Kubota just needed a jolt. We are so happy! Lots of missing teeth around here, love the ambiance and friendly loving generous spirited people.All good.

Enjoying Tutukaka with Rat Bag only 2 beautiful oldie vintage boats in Bay on anchor. A mystery where all the cruisers are, this bay is amazingly peaceful and beautiful. Waiting for early cyclones to pass for exit strategy North, internet is accessible.

We are enjoying many extremely challenging boot camp prep hikes 6 to 8 hours is a stretch for us, well worth it. A hikers paradise, utopian delight one moment the next turn, an endurance athlete's survivors gruelling greatest race on earth. Top it off with a refreshing dip in the ocean, solar shower, a beer for rewards after dusk once we make our way home to Red Witch. Inspiring! fixed a burst hose, engine running again. Yea! thank you locals for drumming up the helpful part.

Happy to have a completely outfitted beautiful vintage cruiser racer, we are so fortunate, Red Witch is almost ready to go! Fitting the last components while I visit the States to pick up one more thing...Indian Ocean charts. Yippee!

Oh our little Cirrus Kia Ora, is so excited for us, glad the base of her mast, being so corroded was the only mishap during our racing days with her, all fixed already! Kia Ora will be waiting for us once we return to New Zealand asking all kinds of questions about our trip.

Oh we are so happy, we are actually going sailing. Visiting the US for 3 week will be interesting. We recently raced our 20 foot trailer sailer, our last race of the season and became dis masted with the gusty conditions. It was actually a fun day with all of the commotion onboard, our friends were wondering how we would make it back to shore. Tow. All in all we are going to fix her eventually once ready to. Red Witch is our priority and the little Cirrus will be at our family's home in Lake taupo for a few years while we go sailing around the world. How fun..